Agmatine Benefits

A product of the amino acid arginine, agmatine is sometimes overshadowed by its popular big brother. However, agmatine is emerging as a powerful supplement in its own right, boasting several unique and specific physical benefits.

Labeled the “Holy Grail of Supplements” by writers at BodyBuilding.com, there’s little agmatine can’t do—at least if you believe supporters.

Here’s a more specific look at agmatine benefits backed by solid scientific and anecdotal evidence.

As an arginine byproduct, agmatine triggers greater nitric oxide production.[1] Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels to allow for greater blood flow. This provides many benefits, including increased heart health and improved strength.

According to Nobel-winning research Louis Ignarro, nitric oxide—and by extension, agmatine—is the “body’s natural way of preventing strokes and heart attacks."[1] By increasing blood flow, agmatine prevents blood clots from forming and causing cardiac problems.

And because agmatine is a chemical neurotransmitter, it likely improves strength. In a 2001 study from Baylor University, nitric oxide supplementation through nutrients like agmatine improved subjects’ max bench press by a greater amount than in subjects taking a placebo.[3]

However, because agmatine is not arginine, it affects nitric oxide production in different ways. While it promotes some types of nitric oxide synthase, it inhibits others. This promotes proper functioning of the polyamine biosynthetic pathways, which is optimal for healthy cell growth.[4]

In addition to promoting strength through nitric oxide production, agmatine also improves energy levels and endurance.

Agmatine influences release of the catecholamine hormones: epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.[5] These hormones influence many physical functions, including energy production and stress management.

Epinephrine is especially associated with improved energy metabolism. In one study, young men given epinephrine infusions had higher energy expenditure, heart rate, and blood pressure than men in a control group. The improvement in metabolic rate was visible in both long- and short-term results, including in protein metabolism.[6]

Dopamine, meanwhile, increases endurance and subjective strength. In other words, a person with higher dopamine levels does not feel like he or she is exerting as much effort despite better performance. This benefit was demonstrated in a 1997 involving cyclists on stationary bikes. Subjects taking a dopamine precursor increased time to exhaustion.[7]

Agmatine takes down another barrier to quality exercise by decreasing cortisol production. Cortisol is a stress hormone that piles weight onto the abs and breaks down muscle. As a catabolic hormone, it reduces protein synthesis and prevents tissue growth.

Agmatine possesses anxiolytic and antidepressant properties that combat these effects. In a 2012 study, subjects fed agmatine showed significantly fewer markers of depression and anxiety in a stressful physical situation.[8] Anecdotal evidence also suggests agmatine decreases anxiety. This translates to less cortisol production.

In this way, agmatine ensures workouts will be longer, more manageable, and produce better outcomes.

Perhaps most interesting to athletes, agmatine is also a pain fighter. It enhances post-workout recovery and increases analgesic effects when used after an injury.

These benefits were demonstrated in a recent study involving spinal cord injuries. Mice fed agmatine demonstrated faster recovery times, less neuronal loss, and less scar tissue than mice in a control group.[10]